Real Madrid: Should Dayot Upamecano be a target next summer?

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane had interest in Dayot Upamecano before the economic crisis, but would he be a realistic target next summer?

In Éder Militão, Real Madrid have unearthed a future star the center back position. The 22-year-old Brazilian held his own against Manchester City and was immense in a few other games this season, particularly against Athletic Bilbao in a win at San Mames.

But Real want more center back options. Benoît Badiashile of Monaco is on Zinedine Zidane’s radar as a possible signing this summer, and Real have also been linked to Sevilla’s future superstar center back Jules Koundé, who should not be overshadowed too much by Diego Carlos.

Earlier this year, though, Real Madrid were linked to center back Dayot Upamecano, but it became clear that Real would not be able to afford him this year. Upamecano had other major suitors, such as Bayern Munich. In the end, though, Upamecano decided to re-sign with RB Leipzig.

According to a report from Kicker, via Bulinews.com’s Laura Brandt, Upamecano’s new deal with Leipzig includes a 42 million euro release clause that will take into effect next summer. So his deal is similar to the deal Leipzig struck with Timo Werner, extending him but throwing in a release clause so that he would not leave to Bayern for free or cheap. Werner is now on Chelsea, and a similar Premier League move could even follow Upamecano, who was a favorite of Arsenal fans.

Dayot Upamecano is already Real Madrid-quality at 21

The interest from Zidane scared Arsenal fans when it was first reported, as Zidane has a way with signing young French center backs. Koundé and Badiashile could be big additions, and both players look like big stars in the future. Badiashile, in particular, is affordable and could even be signed in the summer of 2020.

However, Upamecano is already a star, and he is a star at the age of 21. There may not be a more impressive young center back in world football, considering Upamecano’s ball-playing ability, experience, and age. He is the kind of player who can make a different at the center back position as a passer, and he is rarely beaten defensively. Upamecano’s tactical intelligence and reading of the game are rare for a player of his age.

Last season, Upamecano completed nearly 90 percent of his passes in the Bundesliga, per WhoScored.com, even completing 1.0 dribbles per game in the BuLi and 1.8 in the Champions League. Upamecano can compete at the highest level.

So 42 million euros is a very reasonable price tag for a player of Upamecano’s unique quality. He would be a sensational signing for Real Madrid. But would he potentially want to be groomed behind Sergio Ramos for a full season? What would that mean for Militão? And would Real even have a spare 42 million euros if they sign an even more important young target in Kylian Mbappé.

Upamecano most likely won’t sign for Real Madrid, we have to admit the reality of the situation. But he is such a wonderful center back that Los Blancos would do well to keep monitoring him to see if there’s a chance a deal could make sense. It is difficult to think of a young center back with his combination of defensive aptitude and effectiveness on the ball.